Final: Celtics 106, Sixers 99 - Supporting cast carries shorthanded C's past Philly

Game 55: Celtics (-4) vs. Philadelphia 76ers, 7:30 p.m., ESPN/NBCS Boston

Injuries: 

Boston: OUT- Danilo Gallinari, Marcus Smart (ankle), Robert Williams (ankle), Al Horford (knee)

Philadelphia: None

Sixers probable starters: James Harden, De’Anthony Melton, PJ Tucker, Tobias Harris, Joel Embiid

Refs: David Guthrie (#16), Nick Buchert (#3), Nate Green (#65)

A little something about this game: The Sixers are 2-2 after a 7-game winning streak. They had an 8 game winning streak snapped by New York. Philadelphia is third in the East, 3 games behind Boston. 

Things I’m looking for:

- Big night for backup bigs: Grant Williams is going to have toi snap out of his little funk here. He’ll get pushed into the starting lineup and, now that Embiid is playing, he’ll have to find a way to slow down the MVP candidate. Luke Kornet, who was upgraded to available with his sprained ankle, will have a few turns as well. They are going to have to defend without fouling. 

- Jays taking flight: Big time players play big in big games. This one is pretty big with Philly lurking in the standings. Boston won their first matchup, so finding a way to pull this one out will be huge when it comes to tiebreakers. If Boston wins, it’s because Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have one of their 60-combined-points nights. 

- Bench vs. Bench: The Sixers bench can be suspect, but Boston’s bench will be pressed into starting service, so that means guys like Sam Hauser and Payton Pritchard will be pressed into more time. With Tyrese Maxey coming off the bench, it’s going to put a lot of pressure on Boston’s defense. 

Follow along below or in the comments during the game, chime in, and let’s have fun.